UNA to 'stay within the realm of reality' with new budget request

W. Steven Smith, UNA's vice president for business and financial affairs, discusses the school's appropriations request with the board of trustees during a recent meeting. (The University of North Alabama)

FLORENCE, Alabama -- University of North Alabama officials say they're trying to be reasonable by requesting a comparatively small 8 percent funding increase from the state for fiscal 2014.

"We're trying to stay within the realm of reality," said UNA President William Cale.

The school is seeking $26.7 million from the state, up nearly $2 million for its appropriation for fiscal 2013, which started Oct. 1.

But that's well below the appropriations being sought by other universities from the cash-strapped state government.

The University of Alabama System is seeking a 38 percent appropriation increase for the upcoming fiscal year in hopes of restoring 2008 funding levels -- before the Great Recession slashed funding for higher education statewide.

UNA would need a 31 percent increase to get back to the $33.9 million state appropriation it garnered in 2008.

Despite the more modest request, UNA officials are not optimistic they'll get the full increase sought.

"I've never seen a university get the funding they requested," W. Steven Smith, UNA's vice president for business and financial affairs, told board members recently.

Meanwhile, as state funding for higher education remains diminished, tuition continues to climb.

Alabama's median tuition for in-state undergrads at four-year public colleges climbed 5.2 percent to $8,275 annually for the 2012-13 school year, according to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

UNA's 7,049 students will pay $8,148, up 8.4 percent from the year before.